Frequently Asked Questions

We're happy to help you choose the right roof box, but please schedule an appointment in advance, as our location is not always staffed.

We take care of the final cleaning for you. We charge a flat €10 per rental, regardless of the number of rented items. You do not need to clean the items before returning them.

We do not offer insurance for the rented items. Before renting, please check with your insurer whether, and to what extent, the items are covered against theft, loss or damage.

Do you have a new vehicle and need a different base rack? No problem – contact us! We'll do our best to provide you with the right base rack. Please note that short-term changes are not always possible. Getting in touch with us early helps us find the best possible solution for you.

If you had an accident and the roof box was damaged, please proceed as follows:

1. Report the accident and damage
   Inform us as soon as possible. Please provide all relevant details, including photos of the damaged roof box.
2. Invoice for insurance
   We will issue an invoice for the damage amount, which you can submit to your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance, it may cover the costs.

Answer:
Yes, you can order multiple items at the same time. Simply add the first item you would like to rent to the cart and then select the other products you need.

It is important that all items are added within the same order. This ensures that the cleaning fee is not charged more than once, but only applied once per order.

If you would like to rent several products for the same period, this is therefore no problem and all items can be combined in one booking.

Answer:
Yes, you can order multiple items at the same time. Simply add the first item you would like to rent to the cart and then select the other products you need.

It is important that all items are added within the same order. This ensures that the cleaning fee is not charged more than once, but only applied once per order.

If you would like to rent several products for the same period, this is therefore no problem and all items can be combined in one booking.

A lot of people wonder after booking whether the right parts for their car will be ready on collection day. It's a fair question, and the answer is yes, we sort that out beforehand.

The carrier in your booking confirmation is a placeholder for now. Which mounting kits and carrier parts suit your vehicle, we assign manually once your order comes in, based on the vehicle details you provided when booking. That's why it isn't already in the confirmation automatically.

As soon as we've done that, the parts appear in your order status. The link is in your confirmation email. As a rule the assignment is visible within 24 hours.

If there's still nothing there after 48 hours, feel free to call us or use the contact form. We'll look into what's holding it up straight away.

You can conveniently pay the rental fee at the time of booking using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal.

Yes – you can rent a roof box together with matching roof bars from us. A roof box cannot be mounted directly on a car roof. It always needs a roof bar system suited to your vehicle.

How the combined rental works

During the booking process, you can optionally add roof bars as an accessory to your chosen roof box. We then deliver the complete, coordinated set: the roof box including mounting hardware plus vehicle-specific roof bars. You don't need to source anything yourself and save the cost of buying bars you only use a few days a year.

When do you not need additional bars?

If your car already has roof bars – fixed rail-mounted bars, your own cross bars, or a factory-installed system – you can usually mount the roof box directly onto them. When in doubt, check the maximum roof load and the compatibility of your existing system.

Which bars fit my car?

We stock Thule roof bars for the most common vehicle models. When booking, simply let us know your vehicle, year, and configuration (with or without roof rails) – we will put the right system together for you. If you have any compatibility questions, feel free to contact us before booking.

You can choose your pickup and return times during booking or set them online no later than 24 hours before the rental starts. Please arrive at the agreed times and let us know early if your plans change.

You can easily cancel your booking by using our online cancellation form or by sending us an email. Your booking will be processed according to our cancellation policy – depending on how far in advance you cancel, cancellation fees may apply. Once we receive your cancellation request, you will receive a confirmation email.

Whether cancellation fees apply depends on when you cancel your booking:

• 14 or more days before the rental starts: Free cancellation and a full refund of any payments made.
• 8–13 days before the rental starts: 50% of the rental price will be charged, and any payments made will be refunded on a pro-rata basis.
• 1–7 days before the rental starts: 70% of the rental price will be charged, and any payments made will be refunded on a pro-rata basis.
• On the day the rental starts and afterwards: The full rental price must be paid.

In general, you're free to adjust your rental period. If you would like to extend it, please contact us well in advance. Keep in mind that any extension must be requested at least 3 days before the end of the rental period and will only become effective upon our confirmation.

Important: If you wish to shorten your rental period, you must notify us before the rental period begins, so that the rental price can be adjusted accordingly and a refund provided, if applicable. If the items are returned early after the rental period has started, no refund will be issued.

Please contact us as early as possible so that we can work together to find the best solution for your needs.

You may not be able to select the rental period because availability is checked in real-time. If an item is unavailable for the requested period, the selection is automatically restricted.

What can I do?

✔ Try different rental dates if possible.
✔ Check for alternative items, as similar models might be available.
✔ If you need further assistance, contact us – we're happy to help!

Yes. You can book roof boxes, rear cargo boxes, tow-bar bike carriers and cool boxes with at least 24 hours’ notice. If roof bars are included in your booking, we need at least 3 days’ notice to prepare the right bars for your vehicle. If you need the rental items sooner, please contact us by phone or email. We will be happy to check whether earlier pickup is possible.

No, there is no minimum rental period. You can choose the rental duration flexibly according to your needs.

Can I extend or shorten my rental period?

Extending or shortening the rental period is generally possible. For more information, please see our FAQ: "Can I extend or shorten my rental period?"

If your desired time slot is unavailable, there are two possible reasons:

1.
Maximum number of pickups and returns reached
– To ensure a smooth process, each time slot has a limited number of available appointments. Once this capacity is reached, no further bookings can be made for that time.

2.
Items unavailable
– If the requested rental items are not available at the selected time, that time slot cannot be chosen.

We recommend selecting an alternative time or
contacting us
if you need a customized solution.

Where is the pickup and return location for the rental items?

Pickup and return take place at Steinstraße 16, 64291 Darmstadt.

Is it possible to pick up or return the items at a different location?

No, both pickup and return are only possible at Steinstraße 16 in Darmstadt. Shipping or delivery services are currently not offered.

At what times can pickup or return take place?

You can choose your pickup and return times during booking or set them online no later than 24 hours before the rental starts. Please arrive at the agreed times and let us know early if your plans change.

You will receive an automatic reminder email about one day before your appointment.

What happens in case of a delayed pickup or return?

Please adhere to the agreed times. Especially during holiday periods, a delayed pickup or return may impact other customers and cause unnecessary waiting times. While we strive to remain flexible, we kindly ask for your understanding in case of scheduling conflicts. Please notify us in advance if you expect a delay.

To help you determine which of our roof boxes is suitable for you, we have created an overview with the key details of each model.

In most cases, the whistling sound comes from the roof rack. Please make sure that the rack is properly mounted and that all openings and holes on the box are sealed.

For vehicles with a combustion engine, driving at 130 km/h doesn't lead to a noticeable increase in fuel consumption—it's about the same as the extra fuel used by a constantly running air conditioner.

For electric cars, the extra energy consumption can be significantly higher, depending on the model. On longer trips, expect to make one or two additional charging stops. If your car has a tow bar, you might want to rent a rear cargo box instead, as it has little effect on fuel or energy consumption.

You'll need to adjust your driving style due to changes in weight and height. Crosswind sensitivity increases, and the center of gravity shifts, affecting how your vehicle handles in turns and braking. Your car's height can increase by up to 60 cm, so be cautious when entering parking garages and driving under low bridges.

Place heavy items as centrally as possible in your roof box to evenly distribute the weight across the load carrier and vehicle. All luggage must be secured to prevent shifting. The load should not obstruct the closing of the roof box, as this may cause malfunctions in the locking system. Make sure to adhere to the maximum roof load specified by the manufacturer. The permissible total weight of your vehicle must not be exceeded.

The maximum speed with a roof box depends on several factors, including manufacturer recommendations, traffic regulations, and driving safety. Here are some key considerations:

1. Manufacturer Specification

Manufacturers typically specify a 130 km/h speed limit for roof boxes to maintain vehicle stability and aerodynamic efficiency, as excessive speeds may compromise safety.

2. Legal Regulations

No explicit legal speed restriction exists for roof box usage. However, compliance with general traffic regulations is required, particularly in terms of vehicle stability and driver control.

3. Safety Guidelines

✔ Adjust driving behavior – Increased wind susceptibility can make the vehicle less stable.
✔ Perform routine inspections – Verify the roof box mounting system before every trip to ensure secure attachment.
✔ Watch the weight – Make sure you don't exceed your car's roof load limit or the box's maximum capacity.

The type of roof rack mounting varies depending on the vehicle type. Here are the common options:

• Standard Roof: For vehicles with a conventional roof, the rack is clamped between the door and the roof.
• Raised Rail: For vehicles with an open roof railing that can be easily gripped by hand.
• Flush Rail: A rail mounted flush on the vehicle roof, for which a custom mounting kit is required.
• Fixed Mounting Points: Typically, threaded inserts are installed in the roof, into which the rack is bolted using a vehicle-specific mounting kit.
• T-Profile: Here as well, a vehicle-specific mounting kit is used, which is anchored in the slot.

The maximum load capacity of your roof box depends on several factors: the permitted roof load of your vehicle, the carrying capacity of the roof rack, and the weight limit of the roof box itself.

A good comparison is air travel: Passengers are often allowed to take suitcases weighing 20 kg each. Depending on the model, our roof boxes can hold 50–75 kg – roughly the equivalent of 2 to 3 large travel suitcases.

Important: The permitted roof load of your vehicle (including the roof rack and roof box) must not be exceeded. Check your vehicle manual for the specifications. Additionally, heavy items should be placed as centrally as possible in the roof box and secured to prevent shifting.

If you're unsure how much weight your roof box can carry, we're happy to assist you!

We have roof racks for over 1,700 vehicle combinations in stock. In most cases, we can therefore offer you a suitable carrier immediately.

What if there is no carrier available for my vehicle?

If there is currently no roof rack in stock for your vehicle, we will endeavor to provide one, provided there is sufficient lead time. Please contact us in good time so that we can find a suitable solution.

Yes, you can of course use your own roof racks, as long as they do not exceed the required dimensions.

What are the requirements for my roof racks?

✔ The crossbars must not exceed 80 mm in width and 30 mm in height.
✔ The racks must ensure a secure and stable attachment of the rented roof box.

What if my roof racks don't fit?

If your roof racks do not meet the specifications, you can rent compatible roof racks as an accessory from us. This ensures that the roof box can be mounted without any issues.

We're happy to assist you and check if your roof racks are compatible!

If your roof box doesn't close properly, there may be several reasons. Here are the most common issues and possible solutions:

1. The Roof Box Is Overloaded
   ✔ Problem: The roof box is too full, preventing the lid from closing properly.
   ✔ Solution: The lid must close without force. Rearrange the contents, distribute the load more evenly, and remove any bulky items if necessary.
2. The Locking Mechanism Is Blocked by Foreign Objects
   ✔ Problem: Dirt, small objects, or luggage parts are obstructing the locking mechanism.
   ✔ Solution: Check the lock and rails for any foreign objects and remove them to ensure smooth closure.

A lot of people wonder after booking whether the right parts for their car will be ready on collection day. It's a fair question, and the answer is yes, we sort that out beforehand.

The carrier in your booking confirmation is a placeholder for now. Which mounting kits and carrier parts suit your vehicle, we assign manually once your order comes in, based on the vehicle details you provided when booking. That's why it isn't already in the confirmation automatically.

As soon as we've done that, the parts appear in your order status. The link is in your confirmation email. As a rule the assignment is visible within 24 hours.

If there's still nothing there after 48 hours, feel free to call us or use the contact form. We'll look into what's holding it up straight away.

Yes – you can rent a roof box together with matching roof bars from us. A roof box cannot be mounted directly on a car roof. It always needs a roof bar system suited to your vehicle.

How the combined rental works

During the booking process, you can optionally add roof bars as an accessory to your chosen roof box. We then deliver the complete, coordinated set: the roof box including mounting hardware plus vehicle-specific roof bars. You don't need to source anything yourself and save the cost of buying bars you only use a few days a year.

When do you not need additional bars?

If your car already has roof bars – fixed rail-mounted bars, your own cross bars, or a factory-installed system – you can usually mount the roof box directly onto them. When in doubt, check the maximum roof load and the compatibility of your existing system.

Which bars fit my car?

We stock Thule roof bars for the most common vehicle models. When booking, simply let us know your vehicle, year, and configuration (with or without roof rails) – we will put the right system together for you. If you have any compatibility questions, feel free to contact us before booking.

Transporting pedelecs on the vehicle roof is generally not possible, as roof-mounted bike carriers have a weight limit of 20 kg, and most pedelecs — even without the battery — are significantly heavier. Additionally, pedelecs have a different frame geometry and wider frames than conventional bicycles, which means secure attachment cannot be guaranteed. We therefore advise against transporting pedelecs with roof-mounted bike carriers.

• Take the increased vehicle height into account – pay attention to low passages, parking garages and bridges, but also to trees in avenues
• Adapted driving style – crosswind sensitivity and the changed center of gravity can influence driving behavior.
• Regular safety check – Before every ride, check that the bikes are securely and correctly mounted.
• Consider fuel consumption – Higher air resistance can increase fuel consumption.

Yes, it is possible to transport a children's bike on the roof, provided the following conditions are met:

• The bike must have a minimum size of 16 inches, as smaller bikes cannot be securely mounted.
• The vehicle's maximum roof load must not be exceeded.

If you're unsure whether your roof rack is suitable for a children's bike, feel free to contact us – we're happy to assist you.

A lot of people wonder after booking whether the right parts for their car will be ready on collection day. It's a fair question, and the answer is yes, we sort that out beforehand.

The carrier in your booking confirmation is a placeholder for now. Which mounting kits and carrier parts suit your vehicle, we assign manually once your order comes in, based on the vehicle details you provided when booking. That's why it isn't already in the confirmation automatically.

As soon as we've done that, the parts appear in your order status. The link is in your confirmation email. As a rule the assignment is visible within 24 hours.

If there's still nothing there after 48 hours, feel free to call us or use the contact form. We'll look into what's holding it up straight away.

Both the bike carrier and the bicycles are secured with locks to prevent unauthorized access. We still recommend securing the bikes on the carrier with an additional lock. At the destination or when not in use, you should remove the bicycles from the carrier and store them in a secure location.

Yes – you can rent a roof box together with matching roof bars from us. A roof box cannot be mounted directly on a car roof. It always needs a roof bar system suited to your vehicle.

How the combined rental works

During the booking process, you can optionally add roof bars as an accessory to your chosen roof box. We then deliver the complete, coordinated set: the roof box including mounting hardware plus vehicle-specific roof bars. You don't need to source anything yourself and save the cost of buying bars you only use a few days a year.

When do you not need additional bars?

If your car already has roof bars – fixed rail-mounted bars, your own cross bars, or a factory-installed system – you can usually mount the roof box directly onto them. When in doubt, check the maximum roof load and the compatibility of your existing system.

Which bars fit my car?

We stock Thule roof bars for the most common vehicle models. When booking, simply let us know your vehicle, year, and configuration (with or without roof rails) – we will put the right system together for you. If you have any compatibility questions, feel free to contact us before booking.

Yes, it is possible to transport a carbon bike on a bike rack, but special care must be taken to avoid damaging the delicate frame.

Which carriers are suitable for carbon bikes?

✔ Übler I21 Z90 and Thule Epos are already suitable for carbon frames as standard and enable safe transportation.
✔ For all other carriers, we recommend using the Thule Carbon Frame Protector, which reduces the pressure on the frame and offers additional protection and which you can add as an accessory when ordering.

How does the Thule Carbon Frame Protector work?

• Protects the sensitive carbon frame through special pressure distribution.
• Prevents crushing and damage to the surface.
• Simple mounting on the frame.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Both the bike carrier and the bicycles are secured with locks to prevent unauthorized access. We still recommend securing the bikes on the carrier with an additional lock. At the destination or when not in use, you should remove the bicycles from the carrier and store them in a secure location.

Yes, all of our towbar bike carriers are tiltable, ensuring that you have easy access to the trunk even when bikes are mounted. For vehicles with particularly large tailgates, such as vans or minibuses, we recommend the Uebler I21 Z90. This carrier can tilt up to 90°, providing unrestricted access to the trunk.

Yes, it is possible to transport a carbon bike on a bike rack, but special care must be taken to avoid damaging the delicate frame.

Which carriers are suitable for carbon bikes?

✔ Übler I21 Z90 and Thule Epos are already suitable for carbon frames as standard and enable safe transportation.
✔ For all other carriers, we recommend using the Thule Carbon Frame Protector, which reduces the pressure on the frame and offers additional protection and which you can add as an accessory when ordering.

How does the Thule Carbon Frame Protector work?

• Protects the sensitive carbon frame through special pressure distribution.
• Prevents crushing and damage to the surface.
• Simple mounting on the frame.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

No, the vehicle's original license plate may not simply be attached to the bicycle carrier or rear box. A duplicate license plate must be used, which carries the same combination as the original license plate but is issued without registration and inspection stickers.

Yes, a tow hitch is absolutely required. Rear boxes are mounted on a carrier system that attaches directly to the vehicle's tow hitch. Without a tow hitch, using a rear box is not possible.

What should I consider?

• Permissible tow hitch load (the maximum weight the hitch can support).
• A duplicate license plate is required. You can add this as an accessory when booking.
• Country-specific regulations: Depending on your travel destination, a warning sign may be required (e.g., in Italy and Spain). This can be rented as an accessory.

If your vehicle does not have a tow hitch, retrofitting may be a practical option.

No, the vehicle's original license plate may not simply be attached to the bicycle carrier or rear box. A duplicate license plate must be used, which carries the same combination as the original license plate but is issued without registration and inspection stickers.

All three rear cargo boxes in our range may be loaded with a maximum of 50 kg. You also need to allow for the permitted nose weight of your tow bar, because the weight of the whole system counts towards it. Our nose weight calculator lets you check before booking whether the combination suits your vehicle.

No. We do not offer a rear cargo box and a bike carrier on the tow bar at the same time. If you need to carry bikes and extra luggage, you can combine a bike carrier at the rear with a roof box on the roof.

The main difference between a thermoelectric cooler and a compressor cooler lies in their cooling technology and performance:

Thermoelectric Cooler:

• Uses a Peltier element that transfers heat from inside to outside using electricity.
• Can only cool up to 15–20°C below the ambient temperature.
• Lighter, more compact, and often cheaper than a compressor cooler.
• Can both cool and heat, depending on the setting.
• Ideal for short trips, picnics, or use in moderate temperatures.

Compressor Cooler:

• Works like a small refrigerator with a powerful compressor.
• Cooling is independent of the outside temperature – can reach temperatures as low as -22°C, even in high ambient temperatures.
• Consumes more energy but provides very efficient cooling.
• Perfect for longer trips, camping, or transporting temperature-sensitive products like food or medication.

If you're unsure which cooler is right for your needs, feel free to contact us for advice!